A 14-year-old boy was shot in the neck Friday afternoon on the sidewalk in the 6300 block of North Rockwell Street in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood, Chicago police said. The victim was transported to Lurie Children’s Hospital in critical condition following the 3 p.m. attack by an unknown offender.
What Witnesses Heard and Saw on North Rockwell Street
Mohammad Rafiq Mohammad Yasin, who lives a block away and has resided in the neighborhood for over a decade, heard three gunshots ring out. After the shots, he heard someone shouting for help in Rohingya.
Reflecting on the violence, Yasin noted that he came to the United States as a refugee from Malaysia seeking better opportunities for his children. “We came here and want more opportunity for our kids and all that, so now suddenly we see the situation [here] is really bad,” Yasin said.
Farzad Chowdhury, a 21-year-old resident of over a decade, did not hear the gunfire. However, he saw police cars speeding down the street on his way home from school and noticed officers inspecting a blue vehicle two blocks from his house in connection with the shooting.
West Ridge Safety Rankings and Crime Statistics
The shooting occurred in a neighborhood historically noted for lower rates of violent crime compared to other parts of the city. In 2025, West Ridge ranked 58th out of Chicago’s 77 community areas for its population-adjusted shooting rate, placing it among the safer areas for such incidents according to data from the Chicago Public Safety DataHub.
The neighborhood recorded 13 shootings per 100,000 residents, well below the citywide average of 42. Updated figures from August of this year show West Ridge ranking 48th for shootings.
Active Police Investigation and Unknowns
Area 3 detectives are actively investigating the shooting. Law enforcement personnel cordoned off West Rosemont Avenue between North Maplewood and North Campbell avenues, as well as areas near North Rockwell Street, to collect evidence on Friday evening.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the 14-year-old victim, nor have they announced any suspects or described a specific vehicle of interest beyond neighborhood observations. Police have not confirmed a motive for the attack.
Frequently Asked Questions About the West Ridge Shooting
Which hospital is treating the 14-year-old victim?
The victim was taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital, where he remained in critical condition following the Friday afternoon shooting.
What were the exact neighborhood coordinates of the incident?
The shooting took place on the sidewalk in the 6300 block of North Rockwell Street in the West Ridge community area.
Which police unit is handling the case?
Area 3 detectives are leading the ongoing investigation into the shooting.
How does West Ridge’s shooting rate compare to the rest of Chicago?
West Ridge recorded 13 shootings per 100,000 people, sitting significantly lower than the citywide average of 42 shootings per 100,000 people.
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